Our story begins in Rotuma Island. It is the
mid to late 1800's and it was a time when sailing ships frequently
stopped over in Rotuma to recruit Sailors and Pearl Divers
for the thriving Pearl Industry. Rotumans were considered
to be reliable and were renowned Pearl Divers. They were no
doubt given stories of great adventure and riches to be made
in the wide world out yonder.

It was during this period
that two brothers Raki (our great grandfather) and Uasile
were tempted to leave their idyllic island home and venture
forth to make their fortune. Their parents were Epeli from
Marama and Furserue of Mal'ia and they were living in Mal'ia
in the district of Oinafa at that time.

Little is yet known of the journey from Rotuma
however the brothers were taken to Erub Island situated in
the North Eastern Torres Straits There is anecdotal evidence
to indicate that the pearl divers worked under very difficult
and sometimes inhumane condtions. It is believed that often
times the master and officers of the vessels would take up
positions around the deck railings with rifles pointed to
the surface of the sea. When any of the divers were exhausted
and swam toward the ship, these officers would shoot bullets
in to the water around the divers forcing them to continue
diving